In my last Mexico post I introduced the Government Tourism programme of designated magic villages (Programa de Pueblos Magicos) and hoped that I would be able to track down as many as possible whilst living here - so far I have visited 14 out of 37. Coatepec is a magic village situated in the state of Veracruz only twenty minutes away from the university city of Jalapa...
Like so many beautiful Mexican towns it is characterised by colourful colonial streets, a spacious central plaza with an elegant bandstand and a tranquil, calm atmosphere. Veracruz is a lush, fertile and tropical state, so Coatepec also has a lovely natural setting with many gardens, patios and courtyards. Orchids actually grow in the zocalo...
It is also a prosperous coffee mountain town and the smell of coffee hangs over the town alongside the fresh, mountain air, and naturally the streets are crammed with cute cafes all serving the very freshest of ground coffee. It is also known for its misty morning mountaintops and verdant green plants and lush flowers at every turn. Local artist Iris Aburto perfectly captured this aspect of the town in her exhibition of paintings entitled "La Naturaleza"...
There is an abundance of lovely colonial hotels for accommodation, and I stayed at "El Meson del Alferez" (Jimenez del campillo, 47) in a double height colonial room for 800 pesos (70USD)complete with sitting room and a very elegant ensuite bathroom. Cafe 45 next door even offers waiter room service to the hotel if you don't feel like going out, and as you can see from the photographs below it is a gorgeous place to stay and soak up the atmosphere of Coatepec for a while....
For more global glimpses this week check out "My World Tuesday" by clicking here.....
15 comments:
What an incredibly refreshing change from what the press has been serving us for dinner of late concerning Mexico... murders, gunfights, police disappearing, kidnappings, drugs, corruption... etc, etc.
Nice to see a quiet, more beautiful side presented...
this looks heavely....a little R&R would go a long way here!!
Hi! Your collages are amazing. You've got a great eye for images. Thanks for dropping in on my blog!
Hi Owen - I unashamedly make no apologies for displaying only the positive and magical side to living and travelling in Mexico - after all as you have so correctly stated the rest of the media is keeping people away in droves - the war zone up at the border is horrific and appalling but it shouldn't define Mexico - plus it is 24 hours away from Mexico City...glad you liked the post...
You show through your photos the Mexico I knew when I lived there. I loved it, found wonderfully beautiful. I was closer to Mexico City than where you've been, but it was still a long eight drive. Terrific mosaics! Thanks for sharing the beauty of the country! Have a great week!
Sylvia
Your lovely photos show an area that exudes tranquility and old world charm … but with a delightful colourful flair. Thanks for sharing your journey of these magical places. :)
That does look magical. I'd love to take some time and travel around these parts of Mexico one of these years.
Thank you for sharing these beautiful photos
Have a nice week,
Greetings, Bram
My Word Tuesday post
Seen on My World Tuesday
Andd I thought Mexico was simply a poor country full of gansters and drug barons with all its people jumping the border to the US to be able to live a better life.
I understand a little better now thanks to you post.
So nice to continue with the nice, beautiful and positive Mexican atmosphere ... I just reviewed "Frida" for the xth time yesterday night!
The colors are wonderful. Looks like a very interesting & lovely place to visit. :)
aloha,
what beautiful vistas of this town, i would love to visit here someday, the colonial and preserved nature of these towns are really impressive.
my tuesday post is located on my plant fanatic blog today, come and drop by :)
Hope you got some coffee while you where there! I have been here three times and love it.
so glad you are all liking this "alternative" positive view of mexico - so different from media images normally in the news - please do not be put off visiting Mexico - it really is a magical country in which to live and travel...thanks for all your comments this week - much appreciated...
Your insights into Mexico are wonderful, even better than the NY Times. And it is good to see that Mexico isn;t all about guns and cartels. Keep on doing what you're doing. I just love reading your posts.
Post a Comment